Call for more time to comment on Act changes

A Greens MP has called for the State Government to extend the public comment period on amendments to the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

The laws date back to 1972 and govern the way developers, miners and researchers can access a site listed on the Aboriginal heritage register.

Aboriginal groups have previously said the laws leave them powerless, while miners complain of excessive red tape in getting permission to start work.

The proposed changes are currently open for public comment but Greens MP Robin Chapple says the five week comment period is not long enough.

"They're major proposals and to then put it out for a five week comment, of which the Indigenous people most probably won't even see the advert let alone have time to comment, I think is totally wrong," he said.

However, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs Peter Collier says the consultation process has been extensive and he will not be extending the public comment period.

"But it is not just a cold five weeks, we didn't just start from the commencement of that consultation period," he said.

"The consultation has been taking place from a previous twelve months so there's already been an enormous amount, a significant amount of dialogue that's taken place with the interested parties."